The history of Trædballe

Here is a short text about the history of Trædballe from the Vejle Museums.

We know of several medieval castles here in Vejle. In Denmark, only the few medieval castles have been preserved today. In most places, we have only the actual land banks and moats, so-called ramparts, preserved as traces in the landscape. However, there can often be building remains in the form of foundations or masonry.

Borgvold has been located approximately where the bus stop at Vejle Station is today. It has been a considerable facility, which may have been built on royal initiative, to be able to control the city and the entrance to the harbor, which was then located at the old harbor and river. The castle was probably built in the period approx. 1250-1350, as some small studies have been made, where hammered pile rows and potsherds from that period were found. We do not know the exact design, as the plant has been leveled in recent times.

Rosborg has been located west of Vejle, a little south of Rosborg Gymnasium. It is a considerable bank, of approx. 25 x 40 meters, which has not arisen naturally, but is built as a platform out in an otherwise swampy area. The castle was most likely established sometime in the 14th century and is known in every flat around 1400 as a royal castle and administration center. More than 100 years ago, an excavation was carried out by local amateur archaeologists and volunteers. It showed that the castle bank is artificially constructed and finds were made of German Siegburg stoneware jugs from the period approx. 1350-1450. The castle was probably demolished later in the 15th or 16th century.  

Rodskjær / Borrevold has been located in Trædballe, in the area by Borgvej and Vestbanevej. The castle is believed to have belonged to the manor Kærsgård, which belonged to the very powerful nobleman and drost Laurids Jonsen Panter (died 1340). In fact, we know very little about the rampart, which has never been investigated. However, it seems likely that the location must be due to the obvious access road to Vejle and thus control over traffic into the city. The rampart was abolished during the construction of the railway Vejle / Grindsted / Varde.